Ramblings of an Average Idiot

Open Letter to Michael Heisley

2009-11-20T16:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Heisley,

It seems that everywhere from the local press to the national pundits, you're being ripped for the Allen Iverson situation. I, for one, would like take 2 minutes to say thank you. I'll be honest and say that I've given you my fair share of criticism, but at least you tried. Memphis fans were tired of Fratello-ball, and you got rid of him. Memphis fans said that the team couldn't move forward with Pau, and he needed to be traded and the team blown up. You traded Pau and blew up the team. You made trades for OJ Mayo.

And then when the chance came along to give Memphis the superstar it has been screaming for, you took that chance and brought Allen Iverson to Memphis...well, to the Grizzlies at least. We never actually got to see him play IN Memphis.

Blame is being thrown every which way. But basically the bottom line is that for a little while, the Grizzlies had a bonified superstar. It didn't work for whatever reason - but at least you tried, Mr. Heisley. Ticket sales would have gone up. Merchandise would have gone up. Fans would have been happy.

But sadly, much like our luck in the lottery, the balls bounced the wrong way. But just like the lottery, it wasn't anything you could control. You just put your best foot forward, make the effort and hope with everything you have that it works out like it should.

Thanks for trying,
D

Has It Really Been Since July??

2009-11-17T03:39:00.000-08:00

Man, this day job thing is cramping the style of my Average Idiot Ramblings.

Bill Belichik:

Cris Carter made the comment on ESPN this morning, that since 2000 in previous meetings with the Colts – both regular season and post-season games – Belichik has done this 16 times. Gone for it on 4th down and GOTTEN it 8 out of 12 times in the regular season and GOTTEN it 4 out of 4 times in the post-season.

That’s 12 out of 16 times against the Colts that the Patriots have gone for it on 4th and whatever and gotten it. Given THAT history, the fact that Manning had just walked the field twice, AND considering that they only needed 2 little yards…the decision to go for it didn’t sound quite so crazy to me.

Jimmie Johnson:

NASCAR fans immediately understand the phrase "modern era"...that is, "After 1972". Records are referred to as if that were the BC/AD line in the NASCAR time frame. I think we are in a new era that should be labeled "the chase era". Is it impressive that Jimmie Johnson can run off 4 straight chase championships? Absolutely, when you consider that some teams can't even make it IN the chase 4 straight years. But to compare Jimmie Johnson's championships - even his 3 in a row from last year - to Cale's is a skewed comparison.

Gone are the days of "Daytona pays the same points as Homestead" because honestly, they don't. The numbers may be the same, but the value of the Daytona points are drastically different. They're worth much less. The points leader can have lapped the field by Richmond and be up more than 3 races worth of points...and they all go away when the chase starts.

It's a voodoo points system that rewards excellence in the last 10 races. I said it was a gimmick system when they announced it, and I still say it is. Does winning the most races make you a points champion? No. But if we're comparing the chase to stick-and-ball sports, then they need to have a provisional in this goofy chase for the guy that wins the most races. He deserves to be in more - based on accomplishments - than the guy in 12th place 850 points back when it starts, if you ask me.

So congratulations, Jimmie, you are setting a very impressive high-water mark with 4 straight chase championships. And every driver that competes in the chase era will be measured with that stick. But I'm still more impressed with Alan Kulwicki's single 1992 full-season, championship as an owner/driver than I am with your 4 gimmick championships.

Vince Young

Well, apparently Vince Young CAN play football in the NFL...who knew? Well, other than Bud "the bird" Adams. I'd suggest he'd read it and took it to heart - but nobody reads this. I just do it to shut up the voices in my head.

and finally, USC

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Stewart/Busch Wreck at Daytona

2009-07-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

A lot has been written and said about the big wreck at the end of the Coke 400 Saturday at Daytona. And Kyle Busch has been blamed for a lot of things that weren't his fault.

But this one was his fault. And it were Tony in the lead, it would have been Tony's fault. If it were Carl Edwards, it would have been Carl's fault...just like it was at Talladega.

Say what you want about plate racing...the bottom line is this: YOU CAN'T BLOCK TWICE!!

If you block high, and the guy ducks low - you're done! You can NOT block that guy again, because every time he'll have a nose inside and you'll clip his nose and you'll eat the wall!! And at Talladega in October, somebody will try this again, and they'll eat some more wall.

Don't yell at NASCAR about the plate racing. Yell about the yellow line if you want because that's what's forcing the 2nd place guy to stay where he is and wreck the leader. But with the racing and rules being what they are now, it's just this simple: You can't block twice.

Why "the best drivers in the world" can't figure this out, I'll never know.

Oh, and on Kyle Busch

2009-06-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

I understand that when it's presented to him, it's his trophy to do with as he pleases. But it's disrespectful, and downright rude. If this is the 8-foot-tall Bristol trophy or the grandfather clock from Martinsville or the brick trophy from Indy...people are calling for his head if he picks it up and smashes it in Victory Lane.

But since it's a guitar, well then nevermind the hours and hours that Sam Bass spent painting it. And nevermind the field of drivers who would have LOVED to have won that guitar to put in their case...for some maybe the only NASCAR trophy they ever own. Nope, nevermind that...because dumb ol' Kyle Busch thinks it's cute to jump out and smash this trophy.

It's disrespectful. He's an idiot. And I only have one question: Does anyone have Jimmy Spencer's phone number handy? He seemed to be able to straighten Kurt out...maybe he could be talked into doing the same for Kyle.

The Grizzlies and the #2 Pick

2009-06-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Granted that there’s always hope – especially when you look at the OJ Mayo deal from last year. But here’s the root cause for my concern with the Grizzlies having the 2nd pick.

Had the Grizzlies gotten the first pick, it was very easy. The glaring need for the Grizzlies is Power Forward. The best power forward in the draft is also the consensus best overall player in this draft. There’s no thought involved, and no decision to be made.

When the Grizzlies get the SECOND pick instead of the FIRST pick – that introduces DECISION into the process. And other than the Mayo trade from last year, the Grizzlies scare me when they start making decisions.

Package Rudy Gay and the Number 2 pick to the Clippers, and get the Number 1 pick and Blake Griffin. Even without Rudy you have Mayo, Gasol, Griffin and Conley who has really shown some improvement under Hollins – that’s a pretty solid 4 out of 5. Draft some depth at 27 and pick up some decent free agents that don’t cost a ton. Then you get to keep yourself well under the cap because you don’t have to give Rudy a big contract, and you’ve gotten yourself some budget free agents. And I’m not trading Rudy because he’s bad or doesn’t fit, but he’s your most tradable asset.

But whatever you do…DON’T put the Grizzlies in the position of having to make a decision of what to do with the Number 2 pick. Because the situation scares me.

Vince Young - The Repost...

2008-09-11T05:25:00.000-07:00

Now, Vince, this isn't booing you...so don't do anything crazy - but given the events of the past week, I thought I should repost my Ode To Vince Young from back in January.

It's a cool autumn morning, with a nip in the air.
Coach Fisher's on the field, and he's the only one there.
He's thinking 'bout the good times, when everything was fine.
How great that whole team was, that season back in '99.

Then someone from the shadows, walks through the endzone.
Is he the hope of a franchise or just another draft pick blown?
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

Vince Young can't play football in the NFL
He can run and he can throw, but can't do either very well.
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

Coach Fisher says to the man, "Vince listen to me, son.
You've got an awkward motion, and you're too slow to run.
You're a larger Michael Vi-ick, that's what they all say.
The only differ'nce I can tell, is that Michael Vick could play."

Vince Young can't play football in the NFL
He can run and throw, but can't do either very well.
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

Oh they could have had Cutler, or the kid from USC.
Why the Titans picked this guy, is a mystery to me.

Vince Young can't play football in the NFL
He can run and throw, but can't do either very well.
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

SEC Opening Weekend Recap

2008-08-31T05:42:00.000-07:00

First of all, seriously, Razorbacks - a 4th quarter rally to beat Western Illinois? It's going to be a long season.

Hey, Memphis - see what happens when you play against an SEC team with a real coach? For the past 3 years, the Tigers have had this inflated sense of self worth based on their performance against an SEC team. But it was an SEC team coached by a coach who is up 2 touchdowns over their arch-rival and goes for it on 4th and 2. Ole Miss has good talent, and now a good coach...and Memphis is what it is. A team that can't even win its own conference...even when it's Conference USA.

Mississippi State...what's up? Bowl win, momentum, big year, not hardly. The only thing worse than State losing to LaTech is my Hogs nearly losing to Western Illinois.

The rest of the SEC rolled like they're supposed to on opening weekend. Even Bama - welcome back Tide. That was an impressive display on national television last night. That should help get you a boost in the Top 25 polls this week.

The only other of the easy games worth mentioning is Florida over Hawaii. Can we stop with the Hawaii talk now? All we heard was poor little Hawaii isn't allowed to play even though they're putting up PlayStation type numbers. Then Georgia handed it to them in the bowl game last year, then they start this season with a 56-10 blowout loss to Florida. Hawaii is nothing. Congratulations, you went 12-0 last year...oh, right up until you played a real team in Georgia. Then your undefeated season AND your PlayStation stats came to a screeching halt...which continued on Day 1 this year when the same thing happened.

And yeah, I'm typing this all up before UT plays UCLA - but nobody cares about UT anyway. But can get a Howl Yes from the RedWolves (that was their season ticket slogan, btw)? Start the Red Wolves of Arkansas State era off with a Field Goal filled win over Texas A&M. It drives me nuts when a team kicks a bunch of field goals and beats a team that scores touchdowns...but you know, those points count, too. Congratulations RedWolves. It's not every day that you'll beat a Big12 team, so be proud with this one. But I'll say this - Arkansas State should be more proud of beating Texas A&M than LaTech should be of beating Mississippi State.

Grizzlies Draft and Trade

2008-07-01T10:41:00.001-07:00

Great job, Grizzlies! I love the trade. I don't love Mike Miller leaving, but I understand it had to happen. O.J. Mayo has been supposed to be the next big thing since we first started hearing his name.

I like Mike Heisley's 3-year plan. With Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, and now O.J. Mayo, we have a core of solid young perimeter players. Darrell Arthor was the 11th best guy on the Grizzlies draft board, and I hope he's as good as we're hearing. Marc Gasol I know nothing about, but people that do are saying he's very, very good. And the one thing he has that his brother doesn't is the ability to come in and play without an insane expectation to be THE guy in Memphis.

Most likely, the Grizzlies won't be good again next year, but they don't have to be bad on purpose. As young as they are, the draft pick next year will be another lottery pick. Combine that with the Lakers additional pick from the Pau Gasol trade, and the abundance of Point Guards we have, that's a pretty powerful combination of assets to be able to pull off trades. Throw in the cap room to make the Grizzlies a key player in the free agent market, and this team could be better sooner rather than later.

Considering that Rudy Gay is the "veteran" in this new core of players, they're young, and that could translate in a year-long schooling by NBA teams loaded with veteran players, but what they lack in experience, they make up for in talent. And at the conclusion of Mike Heisley's 3-year plan, our core with have experience and talent and be in a Conference whose dominant teams will all be aging.

I love the trade. I love the Pau trade. I love the position the Grizzlies are in going forward from this draft. And it's no coincidence that all this took place after Jerry West got out of town. You don't have to totally stick it to the other team to make a good trade, and it seems that was Jerry's criteria. If he wasn't "winning" the trade, he wasn't interested. Mr. Wallace came in and made a trade that works for everyone involved. And now this team is in a prime position to be a contender at the end of Mike Heisley's 3-year plan. Thank you, Jerry West for not being here this year to screw this up.

Rose or Not Rose - It's not even a question!

2008-05-20T10:28:00.001-07:00

OK, so all morning the debate has been whether or not to draft Rose as a Grizzly.

Here’s my problem with not drafting Rose. We need a LOT more than rebounding to make this team better. This whole team needs to be better. A great power forward doesn’t make a whole team better, a great power forward plays great on a bad team. A great point guard makes the whole team better.

But besides that - you never draft for need. You draft talent and potential…you then trade an excess of talent and potential to fill need. We have a very good point guard, so if you get the chance to draft a great point guard, you draft the great one and trade the very good one. Every single time. The sole reason to never draft need is that the draft is, more times than not, a roll of the dice. If you gamble on filling needs and you lose, then you’ve wasted a number 1 or 2 draft pick and you STILL have that need. THAT’s why you draft talent and try to turn it into something you know will fill the need. Regardless of where Rose played college – he should be Number 1 on the Grizzlies’ radar.

Of course tomorrow this whole argument will be moot tomorrow when the Grizzlies have something pathetic like the 9th pick after the draft lottery tonight.

Congratulations, Tigers, on a Great Season!

2008-04-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

So close...then so far...

Shoulda, woulda, coulda. You can point fingers and blame. You can pick apart the end of the game. You can pick apart the Kansas side of it. Come back? Choke job?

How you look at it depends on your zip code. Personally, I don't care what people think went wrong. To me, the only thing that went wrong was that Kansas won. Memphis lost, and Kansas won. That went wrong, and that's all that matters about what went wrong.

What went right? A lot went right. Memphis was in the NCAA Championship game and despite a lackluster performance was still up by 3 points at the end. John Calipari led this team through an amazing run for the season. 38-2 is nothing to be upset about, even though obviously 39-1 would be that much sweeter. Chris Douglas-Roberts put forth the workhorse effort that Memphis fans have come to expect from him. Derrick Rose took over a stretch during the second half that showed why he may well be the Number 1 pick in the NBA Draft.

The fact that 2 amazing players took center stage on college basketball's largest theater and both had "MEMPHIS" on the front of their jerseys is something to be proud of. Year after year, the Final Four features the elite schools of college basketball. Three of the Four this year were those schools: Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA. And I'll be honest - it was nice to see Memphis included in those historical basketball powerhouses. And not only did Memphis blow out Michigan State and then Texas IN Texas, they also absolutely crushed UCLA. The same way Kansas crushed North Carolina. Last night's game featured two amazing teams, and in the end someone had to lose. It's disappointing that Memphis lost.

But am I going to blame coaching or free throws or use the "C" word? Not at all. I've ripped John Calipari since his arrival in Memphis. But the bottom line is this: This is the second team that he has single-handedly built from basically nothing to a Final Four team. Marcus Camby aside, all of that big talking he did during those first few NIT years about making NCAA Final Fours…has come true.
And I don’t think that he’s gotten credit enough for taking 2 programs that couldn’t have been farther from a Final Four and building them to Final Four caliber programs. He didn’t inherit talent. He didn’t bring in players, but couldn’t get the job done. He recruited his own players and built a second program into a Final Four team. Nice job, Coach Calipari. I was wrong. Not that you really care that I was wrong, or will ever know that I even said it, but for all of the insults and jabs, I owe you the respect you deserve.
Congratulations, Tigers. There can only be one National Champion. But this team will be talked about in Memphis from now on.

My Brain - The Song by Chris Vernon, the Video by Me

2008-03-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

One Race, One Win.

2008-02-10T06:03:00.000-08:00

Not too shabby for the current King of the Restrictor Plate. Give the boy some good equipment again and watch him prove his plate prowess.

Congrats to the whole 88 crew - it's always nice to put on a good show on your first day at a new job.

And for the record...There's 2 things concerning Tony Stewart that I'm sure about: First, I'm not sure if Jr. is really better than his dad at plate tracks, and second, dude, what's up with that hair this week? Oh, but thanks for punching Kurt Busch - I don't care if it's Tony Stewart or Jimmy Spencer that does it, I just like hearing about Kurt Busch getting punched in the face.

And Congrats to Art Monk

2008-02-02T15:42:00.001-08:00

On February 5th, 2007, I posted the following blog:

http://de3fan.blogspot.com/2007/02/art-monk-deserves-to-be-in.html

asking why Art Monk who had better numbers across the board than Michael Irvin was not in the Hall of Fame yet when Irvin had just gotten inducted.

Better late than never! Congratulations, Art Monk! It's LONG overdue, but congratulations on being inducted into the pro football hall of fame!

Pau Gone-Sol!!

2008-02-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Let me start off by saying regardless of whether the move was made to make the team more sellable or simply positioning the team for a fresh start for the future, this was a move that HAD to be made. I've been calling for the trading of Pau Gasol since his second year in Memphis while he still had the appearance of potential - the fact that it took so long may have been helpful in earning 2 first round picks in the deal.

Something that Grizzlies management needed to keep in mind while building this team for the future – at the height of the Memphis Grizzlies success with Pau as the centerpoint, all the team could manage was 3 straight sweeps out of the playoffs.

If they needed proof to see that building the team around Pau was NOT the best way to move forward, they just need to realize that the GLORY DAYS of this program are the NBA benchmark for playoff futility.

An email I sent to Gary Parrish shortly after he started his local show:

"Pau needs to be traded as soon as possible. Since his 2nd year in the league, I’ve been saying “trade Pau” while there was still something to be gained from him. The phrase I used was “trade Pau while he has the appearance of having potential.” Now he has a huge contract, and there’s no perceived potential…Pau’s just Pau, and everyone knows what that is. Trade Pau and get what you can get…draft picks, expiring contracts…an autographed Michael Jordan rookie card if that’s all you can get.

It’s time to quit trying to build around Pau. It’s time to build around Mike Conley and Rudy Gay. We’re not moving forward keeping Pau as the centerpiece. Keeping Pau is continued stagnation, and nothing to get excited about. Much like moving Battier for Gay, it’s a necessary step toward long-term gains. "

I couldn't have said it better. Will this trade make the Grizzlies better right now? Of course not. But the move had to be made in order to move forward in the future. The team sucks WITH Pau - why not lose the huge contract and let the team suck WITHOUT Pau and save money in the process...while getting better with draft picks.

And the last thing I have to say about this...STOP SAYING PAU IS A 20 AND 10 GUY!!!! The big doofus is an 18.9 and 8.8 guy!! 19 and 9 if you want to round...not 20 and 10. The past 2 season he scored 20.4 and 20.8 PPG but that big, pathetic, soft idiot hasn't EVER averaged 10 rebounds a game in any season.

AND going into this season had only scored 30+ points in a game 19 times since his 2001 rookie season in the NBA!! (according to his bio page on NBA.com)

What I'm waiting for - is when Kobe punches him in his soft nose for being the Pau Gasol that we all know and can't stand in Memphis. There's a reason why J-Wil wanted to do it on a nightly basis when he was here!

Bye Bye, Pau! Can't wait to see you in a Laker uniform...or any other uniform would have been fine with me!

Ode to Vince Young - Offensive Coordinator Killer!

2008-01-18T06:36:00.000-08:00

It's a cool autumn morning, with a nip in the air.
Coach Fisher's on the field, and he's the only one there.
He's thinking 'bout the good times, when everything was fine.
How great that whole team was, that season back in '99.

Then someone from the shadows, walks through the endzone.
Is he the hope of a franchise or just another draft pick blown?
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

Vince Young can't play football in the NFL
He can run and he can throw, but can't do either very well.
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

Coach Fisher says to the man, "Vince listen to me, son.
You've got an awkward motion, and you're too slow to run.
You're a larger Michael Vi-ick, that's what they all say.
The only differ'nce I can tell, is that Michael Vick could play."

Vince Young can't play football in the NFL
He can run and throw, but can't do either very well.
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

Oh they could have had Cutler, or the kid from USC.
Why the Titans picked this guy, is a mystery to me.

Vince Young can't play football in the NFL
He can run and throw, but can't do either very well.
He won a title with Texas, wears Jersey number 10.
The reason Titans fans say weekly "we just lost again"

To Go Pro Or Not To Go Pro?

2008-01-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

This argument comes up every year around NBA and NFL draft time. People that argue that the system is hurting the kids when it entices them to leave early are kidding themselves because these people only want the kids to stay in college to make their own college teams better!!

Which is better for a college kid? Leaving after his junior year of college, signing a nice fat contract with the Miami Dolphins or staying in college for what he thinks is one more year to maybe improve his status, then blowing out his knee in some awkward blocking situation – and never playing football again.

As a college-graduated, licensed Professional Engineer I can tell you this: I would LOVE to get just one year’s pay from a NFL Rookie Salary!! These people that try to come across as the altruistic saints of college athletes are lying. They always want to argue about “what will he do if he loses his money?” How many of these SAME people volunteer for Big Brother/Big Sister? If you say you’re SO worried about these kids and you want someone to actually believe you…worry about them before they’re rushing for 1,500 yards.

These people don’t care about the athletes – they care about their own college teams and are only interested in the kids so long as they’re helping their own team!

The draft for these student athletes is a real-life Deal or No Deal…and they better take the money while it’s being offered.

Weekend Update

2008-01-14T09:31:00.000-08:00

Tom Brady is amazing. I’ve been in denial for a long time – credit given to the system, or this year to Moss – but his vision on the field…the way he sees things that develop during a play is truly amazing. Any defense that he’s seen, he’s been able to pick apart. Regardless of the defensive strategy implemented…he finds the open guys. Granted the team around him is basically all-star caliber…but right now he’s playing NFL Quarterback better than anybody in a long time. Possibly ever.

New England will destroy San Diego. New York was helped more by penalties than any team I’ve seen in a playoff game in quite some time. I think Green Bay will win this one easily – maybe not Seattle 42-20 easy, but easy none-the-less.

The Grizzlies still suck, and here’s the problem: It’s a big deal when the Grizzlies “superstar” scores 40 points. If he were worth the money the Grizzlies are paying him, then he’d average 30 per game, and when he hit 40 points it would be simply be Pau did it again. Trade him now. Trading Pau is a necessary step backwards in order to ultimately move forward. And yes, I do believe is a good player and trading him will be a step backwards. But this team will never move forward with him on its roster. The roster has been tweaked and massaged for years trying to build a team around Pau. It won’t work quit trying.

Roger Clemens, you’re a liar…we all know it.

Darren McFadden and Felix Jones – you’ll forever be Hogs, but after 1:00 today you’ll amazing pro running backs. Good luck in the future – Heaven knows we’ll miss you in Fayetteville!

Holiday Break Recap

2008-01-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

Quick Holiday recap…

I don’t want to hear anyone say anything when Memphis gets a #1 ranking by February 1 “because they play in C-USA”. That team has played some serious competition – granted at home and neutral sites – and beaten them all handily.

Speaking of Memphis, why do they even still have a football team?

Speaking of football, why does Arkansas even have a quarterback put pads on? McFadden, Jones, and Hillis?? Please. Short yardage passes to Hillis or Jones or hand-offs to Jones or Hillis or keepers by McFadden. Take the extra position and put another blocker in. But too late for that…already been killed by Mizzou.

Speaking of getting killed, welcome to the real world Hawaii. You’ve been putting up Playstation numbers against Playstation opponents…Georgia beat your brains out. You got paid, I’ll give you that. You got some of that BCS moolah, but beyond that all you did was justify everything that everyone’s been saying all season long.

Let’s see, what else? NFL? The Patriots pulled off an amazing accomplishment. In my opinion, it’s a culmination of dynasty that began in 2001. New England got the reputation (deservedly so) of being a contender. Great coaching. Great QB. Great talent in the non-skill positions. The result is players willing to take pay cuts to play for a team all but guaranteed to go to the SuperBowl. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but pardon me if I don’t get really excited about what is essentially an all-star team. It’s basically an All-Star team playing in an excessively average era in NFL.

Speaking of excessively average, Whodat? Dang near everybody. The Saints were hurt and were ugly before that. I'm just glad the beating is finally over.

As is Hawaii!

Woo Petrino Sooie!

2007-12-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Here are the 2 reasons I don’t have a real problem with Petrino quitting the Falcons to go to Arkansas:

First, by all accounts he was brought in optimize the potential of Michael Vick. Even in the stories today, that’s being highlighted as a big part of his hire. Where’s Michael Vick? Oh that’s right…he’s out for another 23 months…on top of the 13 games he’s already been out this season. That’s like bring Jeff Gordon in to drive for your NASCAR team to maximize your car’s ability, but oh, we just lost that Chevy contract…we’re driving Volkswagen Beetles this year.

Second, what’s staying for the last three games accomplish? Tampa Bay, Arizona, and Seattle – Atlanta was likely to lose all 3 of those games anyway. OK, he was 13 games into a 5 year contract…welcome to sports in 2007. If this were 9 games into a 12 game college football season and he bolted Louisville to come to Arkansas, that’s totally different. Realizing that maybe you’re in over your head – and your franchise star quarterback ends up being out of the NFL for 3 of your 5 years…I don’t blame him for rethinking his situation.

Will he best overly-successful in Arkansas? I don’t really know if he will or if he won’t. But all things being considered, the benefits for him and for Arkansas outweigh the benefits of staying in Atlanta for another 3 games.
As for Atlanta and Petrino…they feel betrayed and let down by Bobby Petrino’s leaving – but they’ve all been supportive of Michael Vick while he’s in jail for the next 23 months?! I’m sure Petrino felt a little betrayed and let down when he was talked into coming to that pathetic team after being promised Michael Vick only to have him go to jail for 3 of Petrino’s 5 years. Suddenly he’s thrown into a rebuilding situation for a historically pathetic team.

I’ve never seen one team get so upset about losing a losing coach that apparently nobody on the team liked anyway!

We'll enjoy you while you're here Coach Petrino!!

McFadden 2nd Again...

2007-12-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

So last year he was just a sophomore - and sophomores just can't win the Heisman...so they give it to Troy Smith.

This year all he did was carry that team on his shoulders to 8 wins (including a defeat AT #1 LSU) and a Cotton Bowl game...but, oh, that's ok - turns out we'll give it to a sophomore after all.

That's ok, Darren. We still love you here in Arkansas. We still love the Wild Hog formation. And ask Troy Smith how much his Heisman is worth to him right now. Not a single snap in a game all year long.

Ask Adrian Peterson how much he regrets not winning the Heisman...yeah, I'm sure he'd like to have won it. But then again, 1200 yards, 10 touchdowns and big fat paycheck playing in the NFL playing for the Vikings probably helps him feel a little better about it.

We'll miss you here with the Razorbacks, D-Mac. You should have been a 2-time Heisman winner. But #1 overall picks have their own perks. While Tim Tebow is trying to figure out how to beat LSU - you can be playing with the real men and showing them how it's done!

Col. Nutt!

2007-12-06T05:19:00.000-08:00

Had this forwarded to me...Wooo Reb Sooie!!

So How Does This Work??

2007-12-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

So Oklahoma (Ranked #9) beats Missouri (Ranked #1) by 3 touchdowns at a neutral site.

And LSU (Ranked #5) beats Tennessee (Ranked #14) by 1 touchdown at a neutral site...after losing its last game to unranked Arkansas at home.

Yet somehow when the polls came out today...LSU is ranked ahead of Oklahoma?? LSU leapfrogs Georgia?? Georgia doesn't move, but Ohio State is somehow now the best team in the country because they haven't played for 2 weeks?

The reason the BCS is screwed up is the same reason the college football championship has been screwed up for all time...because the polls are stupid and make no sense. LSU and Oklahoma both have 2 losses...and when given the chance to make their statement this weekend...Oklahoma made their statement.

Small Request...

2007-11-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

Please, Coach Tuberville...Come to Arkansas!!

MNF = MXC??

2007-11-27T05:23:00.000-08:00

Man, that seemed like watching Most Extreme Elimination Challenge in Pittsburgh last night. All we needed was some bad, tongue-in-cheek commentary by Kenny Blankenship and Vic Romano to make it complete.

DON'T! GET! ELIMINATED!!

You Were a Good Man, Coach Nutt.

2007-11-26T14:44:00.000-08:00

Now that it's semi-official...I think it's a mistake.

18 wins in 2 years and people want him run out of town. yeah, he was 4-4 in the SEC...and LSU lost to Kentucky...and Florida lost to Auburn.

Parity and ridiculous expectations have taken their toll and Coach Nutt is the casualty. Maybe he was the best coach for the job and maybe he wasn't, but the program was clean and 18 wins in 2 seasons ain't bad. Ole Miss can't say that...I can understand firing their coach.

Best of luck in the future, Coach Nutt...when Danny Ford was fired, I was all for it. (And to be honest on 4th and 1 at UT, I was ready for Houston Nutt to be fired) But I don't think this is the right move right now. Like I said in the previous post, should've made him hire a good OC and then let the man do his job.

I hate to see you go, Coach Nutt. Just don't go to Ole Miss.

Please, No Nixing Nutt Now...

2007-11-26T08:25:00.000-08:00

Woo Pig Sooie!! Congrats to the Hogs on an amazing win IN Baton Rouge. At this point, I can only hope it saved Houston Nutt’s job. Regardless of how you feel about his coaching ability – personally I think he needs to get a good offensive coordinator and then let that guy do his job – this off-season is NOT the time to go coach-hunting. Too much uncertainty and too many schools looking for a new head coach…or could be soon (Les Miles and LSU for one).

Unless you have an absolute LOCK for a replacement, I would not make a move this year. But then again, we saw what happened with the basketball team with its absolute LOCK – he’s coaching Kentucky right now.

Personally, I like Houston Nutt. I just wish he’s quit calling plays. Recruit, motivate, and quit calling the plays…maybe the new AD will tell him something along those lines when they have their meeting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T08:06:00.001-08:00

To those of you that read my blog - both of you - I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

It's NOT Super Bowl XLI½.

2007-11-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

Yeah, it's probably going to be a great game AND could be an AFC Championship preview...but it ain't Super Bowl XLI½!!

AFC vs AFC is not, nor will it ever be a SuperBowl. Find a new name for it!

What an Idiot...

2007-11-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Conversation overheard in Cooperstown 25 years from now…
“Hey, Dad? We just toured the whoooole Hall of Fame and I didn’t see that guy!”
“What guy, son?”
“That guy that could hit so good that got caught doing the illegal baseball stuff but never admitted it.”
“You mean Barry Bonds, the juiced-up homerun hitter?”
“No, not that loser. I mean that other guy that is the career leader in hits (4,256), singles (3,215), at-bats (14,053) and games played (3,562)…the one that is second all-time in doubles, fourth in runs, and collected at least 100 hits in his first 23 seasons…and won several World Series Championships – and a World Series MVP… the one that looked that 3 Stooges guy!”
“OH! You mean Pete Rose!”

Barry Bonds is so stupid. He’ll boycott the Hall of Fame if the record-breaking ball has an asterisk? What kind of threat is that?!

The all-time hits leader isn’t in the Hall of Fame. Yeah, he gambled. Yeah, he agreed to a lifetime ban from the game. What’s that have to do with the Hall of Fame? Put Pete Rose in the Hall list his accomplishments and then cite his gambling and ban.

But Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame, so the Hall of Fame is arbitrary and irrelevant. So the fact that Barry Bonds will boycott the Hall of Fame is a completely futile attempt to make someone care about that ball having an asterisk.

Barry – nobody likes you anyway, bra. Pretty sure they don’t really want to see you when they go through the Hall of Fame…oh, and pretty much everyone thinks you cheated. I’m not really sure how you threatening to boycott the Hall of Fame is such a big threat.

And another thing...Why can't you buy a Barry Bonds graphic at Fathead.com?? If you can buy a Dale Jr car or a Pau Gasol or a Homer Simpson - why of all people can't I buy Barry Bonds at fathead.com?! He should be part owner of that place!! Or they should at least pay him royalties and licensing fees for use of the name!!

Please Support Our Troops...

2007-10-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

I know that there's not a whole lot of people who read this goofy little blog...but those that do, please remember our troops. Regardless of why they're there - they're there. And we want them home safely. I'm sure some folks have already had this forwarded with the note about Lizzie...just watch the video...it's about 5 minutes long and it's too good not to post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0

Carl Edwards a Roid Head??

2007-10-25T09:37:00.001-07:00

-->

So we've all known that Carl Edwards is the muscle boy of NASCAR...he's on magazine covers showing off his manliness...backflipping like a monkeyboy after wins...

Is Carl Edwards on the roids? Matt Kenseth talking about their Martinsville incident after the race said, "You don't know what to expect with him. That's the thing that's a little bit troublesome. One minute, he has so much respect for you, and he's real friendly and everything's so much fun. The next minute he wants to kick your butt and he's swearing at you. It's a little scary. You never know what you're going to get. I thought it was good in a way that the cameras were there because a lot of us see that, and nobody else does because he kind of puts on a different front."

So one minute he's fine, the next he wants to kick your butt? He's either bipolar or on the roids, right?

He drives a racecar...look at Dale Jr, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart...then look at Carl Edwards...maybe he is. Not that it matters, but it might explain him flipping out (pun intended) on Matt Kenseth.

And the Streak screeches to a hault!

2007-10-25T06:35:00.001-07:00

The BoSox busted the Rockies in the mouth last night...13-1? Really?

The way I figure, the Rockies can respond one of 2 ways. Given that they're young, we'll use a schoolyard bully analogy.

They'll either be too young to realize that the bully just slugged them in the mouth and they're supposed to be scared now, and they'll get things back on track.
OR they WILL realize that a 12 year old hits a LOT harder than an 8 year old and they'll fold like a wet wrag and be swept right out of this.

We'll find out tonight which way they'll go. I like the Rockies - hopefully, they'll shake this off and this 13-1 drubbing will wake them up.

But the Sox are very good...it might not matter if the Rockies wake up or not.

Can't Do It, Sally...

2007-10-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

To the UT fans that think Fulmer has earned the right to set his own date…As an Arkansas fan, I have 2 words for you. Nolan Richardson. He won the Championship in 94, went back to the title game in 95…then lost his mind. And we gave that bubble-headed idiot a pass for far too long.

By the time he finally uttered those famous words “If they go ahead and pay me my money, they can take the job tomorrow," he had done serious damage to our program…enter Stan Heath who won just enough to keep him from getting fired. Now here we are 12 years after our last title game…FINALLY looking like we have some Conference potential. I’m not talking NCAA tournament…just in the SEC.

Sounds pretty similar to Fulmer’s situation. Lots of optimism for the SEC, but nobody’s talking national title. Thanks for the title, Phil, but much like Tessio told Tom about Michael in the Godfather, “Tell Michael it was strictly business. I always liked him”…then maybe take Phil out to be shot...

On Second Thought...

2007-10-23T11:24:00.001-07:00

The more I've thought about my comments on ol' Steve Austin - The Six Million Dollar Man - the more I've come to realize that I wouldn't care about that either. Throw a couple of 150 mph pitches and see how good A-Rod or Pujoles really are. Hit a Randy Johnson fastball and see just how far a baseball could go.

Androids...the new Andro.

And as a side note..."Six Million Dollars" to remake the bionic man doesn't sound nearly as impressive as it did back in the 70's.

Baseball needs to be more like Football!

2007-10-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

So the Saints and the Hogs have something in common this morning – no longer in last place in their division this morning.

Which, oddly enough, is a distinction that the Memphis Tigers reached before the Razorbacks did. Of course, Arkansas didn’t play Rice or Marshall to win their 2 conference games…but then again, we did play Ole Miss to get the one conference win we DO have, so there’s that.

Just give Jeff Gordon his 5th Championship now and run Daytona next week. He’s better than Jimmie Johnson and I’m ready to see Jr. in that Mountain Dew Green #88. I’m also ready to see him in Victory Lane again, and sad to say that probably won’t happen again in the Budweiser Red #8.

I’m also tired of the steroid/HGH arguments…Babe Ruth didn’t have weight trainers and everything that today’s players have either. So it came out THIS weekend that (insert whoever it is THIS week here) was getting HGH. It’s a different time – and so long as nobody’s using a Steve Austin Bionic Man arm, then I don’t really care. Most people can’t tell you who won the world series 6 years ago – or 4 years ago – if it wasn’t their team. And the “baseball purists” need to get over themselves. It’s a freakin’ game. Ask the parents of St. Jude patients if it really matters that Barry Bonds or Mark or Sammy took steroids or HGH or garlic extract or ate their spinach like Popeye. It’s a game and it’s entertainment. Do like the NFL and NASCAR…Keep me entertained for 3 or 4 hours and go away until next week!! Or I suppose like the Razorbacks…irritate me to death for 3 hours and go away until next week.

Losers

2007-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, class, everybody point and laugh at the Mets...

and WVU...

and Texas...

and Florida...

and Oklahoma...

and Rutgers...

I'm Confused

2007-09-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

I’m confused…at which point in the history of the Memphis Tiger football program did anybody ever seriously consider them comparable to an SEC school? I don’t understand why THIS loss to A-State is the wake-up call?

When DeAngelo was at Memphis, they couldn’t win C-USA. Even at its best, Memphis couldn’t get past Southern Miss. So why is this the eye-opening loss? I said it yesterday…the Memphis football program just isn’t very good. That’s why they’re up in arms trying to get this on-campus stadium: It would finally give them something to be proud of in football.

They’re not very good, they’ve never been very good – and with the greatest player in the history of the program, they were mediocre at best. Losing to A-State isn’t an insult, it’s the way it is. Going into last night's game, the Tigers only held a 27-21-5 lead in the 53 prior games. So deal with it, Memphis Tiger fans, your team isn’t very good. Keep Tommy or fire Tommy or even bring back that ridiculous “22 man offense” campaign from 10 years ago…it won’t matter. You’re just not any good.

General Catchup, Sports Shotgun

2007-09-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

ok, here's a quick recap of the past month.

Milton Bradley is an idiot.
His umpire friend is an idiot.
Michael Vick is an idiot.
Mike Gundy is an idiot.
Robby Gordon is an idiot. (i don't know that he's done anything lately, but he's always an idiot)
DeAngelo Hall is an idiot.

The new Nikki Sixx song from the Heroin Diaries, Life is Beautiful, is very cool.
The new Snow Patrol song Shut Your Eyes is pretty cool, too.

I'm pretty indifferent about Dale Jr.'s number. Doesn't much matter. The AMP car is pretty ugly, though.

I'm curious as to whether Coors Light outbit Bud or if AB is stepping back its NASCAR sponsorship. First, they're sharing hoodspace on Kasey Kahne's car, then Coors Light takes its place in NASCAR?? Makes me wonder.

Oh, and for all of you Arkansas State people who think you're being cute by suggesting "the Engines" as your mascot - you know, because of all the trains in Jonesboro - it's a stupid idea. Whether you really want a train, or if you think that nobody gets the engines/injuns connection...it doesn't much matter...stop suggesting it.

And speaking of A-State, for the Memphis Tiger fans who think that it's totally unacceptable to be an underdog to A-State...where in the history of your pathetic football program did you find yourself in a position to look down on anyone?! Tommy West didn't get DeAngelo Williams to go to Memphis, his family did. He wanted to stay close to grandma, and I can respect that. But DW is the only bright spot for the pathetic Tiger football program in 30 years. And even with DeAngelo carrying the team, the best you can do is some pathetic "Irrelevant Bowl" appearances. With a first round draft pick running back, you couldn't even win C-USA. The Tiger Football team sucks. I'm sorry you have to live with that, and I really like Tommy West. But something's wrong with that team...and hating on A-State won't fix it.

And lastly, speaking of the Memphis Tigers bad team...If these Tiger fans got as mad about the fact that the team stinks as they do about an off-campus facility, they MIGHT have a good team to go watch play. The Tigers can’t get a sniff at a winning record without DeAngelo – and what are they hopping up and down mad about? The fact that the football stadium is a couple of miles down the road. I don’t get it. It doesn’t matter if you put ditchwater in a champagne glass – the bottom line is that it’s still just ditchwater. It doesn’t matter where they play, they still suck…and Tiger fans need to be upset about that instead of obsessing over this stupid stadium issue.

You Have To Watch This...

2007-08-10T09:28:00.001-07:00

http://www.sweeptheleg.com/

It's self-explanatory...and very funny.

You Have To Watch This...

2007-08-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.sweeptheleg.com/

It's self-explanatory...and very funny.

Finally!! 756!

2007-08-08T05:12:00.001-07:00

OK, so it took him a while, but Barry Bonds is finally the All-Time Home Run King. Finally...now we can get off the subject! His 73 in a season was just soooo horrible for, what, 2 weeks? Then everyone got over it. Hopefully the same will happen again. Yeah, he was probably on the stuff, but he played in an era where it certainly wasn't discouraged - and some even argue that it was encouraged. So congrats to Barry. He hit each and every one of the 756 over the fence...and them's the rules.

Arkansas State is still working on a new mascot. Hopefully they come up with something good. That ridiculous list - and the explanations behind them - on KAIT's website is pathetic.

Why does everyone hate Barry Bonds, but nobody ever throws Clemens into the steroid conversation? Never the pitchers...only the guy that hits it. Strange.

Casey Dick - PLEASE don't get hurt. We're a one-man show anyway, but at least you've had a season's experience handing it to D-Mac and Felix. You know how to get out of their way, and that's a good thing.

Kasey Kahne with the Bud sponsorship? Just doesn't seem natural. And Robby Gordon...I guess you'll be an idiot until the day you die.

And lastly, if you haven't checked out the links to the other pages on the blog, check some out. They're pretty good...and you never know what you'll run across.

Nextel Cup to Become the Sprint Cup

2007-07-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

So with Nextel rebranding the Championship to be the Sprint Cup...Does that make this the Car of the Day after Tomorrow??

Because that is a Sprint Car after all...

And hey, Nextel, why don't you gripe about AT&T and Cingular some more?

OK - Just stop it already...

2007-07-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

Is this ASU's new logo??

Look, KAIT, I respect what you're doing with the ASU mascot issue - what with public opinion and getting the people heard and all that sort of whatnot...

But just stop posting every stupid name you get submitted to you, already!

http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=6728381

The Funky Monkeys?? The ASU Goobers?? Not only are these just ridiculous answers...they start affecting the way people look at the editorial capabilities of your news channel. I know that there are people in Jonesboro with "EAT RICE" as their official state-issued personal license plate (I know, because I was behind this guy once), but seriously...just stop with the stupid list already...

Sasquatch?? The Crop Dusters?? The ASU Razorbacks for crying out loud?

idiots.

The Arkansas State Fighting Farmers!!

2007-06-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

The best posts are the ones that you don't have to add any commentary to...

http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=6666707

Check out this news story from Jonesboro’s Channel 8 website. I’ll give you the punchline of the story. They have a poll: “We have compiled a list of the most suggested mascot names received from Region 8 viewer email. Please select the mascot name you would most like to see ASU adopt.” Ridge Runners, Red Wolves, Diamonds, Scarlet A's, Woodpeckers, Mosquitos (Skeeters), Tornadoes, Fighting Farmers, Hellbenders and Gorillas.

The Gorillas nickname is a callback to an OLD ASU nickname used back in 1928…but really, the Mosquitoes? The Woodpeckers?? Fighting Farmers?? Is this the best they can come up with since they can’t use Indians?

Dale Jr. to Hendrick is a Good Thing!

2007-06-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

Ok. Having just heard the press conference and knowing this was coming overnight – here’s the bottom line on this: Any Dale Jr fan that isn’t ecstatic right now needs to quit watching NASCAR. All the rednecks and beer-throwers will whine and complain about Jeff Gordon and the evil empire and so-on, but the bottom line is that right now Rick Hendrick is putting the best cars on the track week in and week out. They are light years ahead of everyone but Joe Gibbs Racing with the new Car of Tomorrow – which oh by way will be used exclusively next year – and if Jr wants to prove he’s as good as he’s supposed to be, this is his best chance to do it.

I think there’s a lot of history with the Earnhardt/Childress connection that Jr didn’t want to get involved with right now. And while RCR may be running a LOT better than they have in the recent past, they’re nowhere close to HMS with the equipment they’re loading on the haulers each week. Not to mention, you don’t walk away from Dale Earnhardt Inc to go be your own man and chart your own course only to go to the team that your daddy drove for. Like he’s said time and again, Jr wants to drive the #3 for RCR a loooong time from now.

What he wants to do right now is win races and championships, and there’s no better team to accomplish that than HMS. The beer chunkers can still chunk beer at the 24 if they want to – it doesn’t accomplish anything now and it won’t accomplish anything starting in 2008 (unless you consider getting coolers banned an accomplishment). Like I said in an earlier post, most of the Gordon haters don’t even know why they hate Jeff Gordon. They only started hating him because it was chic to hate him when they started watching the races on Fox in 2001. Anybody that thinks about it for more than 20 seconds will realize they only hate him because he’s good. Trust me, I know…being a reformed Gordon hater myself. I started watching NASCAR in 1992 when my dad finally got me hooked…and by 1995, I had already gotten over the Gordon hatred. It’s a fan-generated issue that didn’t extend to the drivers themselves, so why waste my time hating someone I’ll never meet. Just sit back and enjoy watching one of my favorite sport’s all time greats do his thing.

And now my favorite driver can prove his mettle in the same equipment that the defending Cup champion as well as the active leader in Cup Championships are driving. If you want to call it selling out, I’m fine with that. Going to a team just to win races and championships? Fine with that. NASCAR fans calling someone a sellout is the height of stupidity. 43 rolling billboards race 500 miles and Kevin Harvick dresses like Ronald McDonald every week and when he said he was leaving DEI he made it clear that it would be to go to another Chevy team – but for some reason Dale Jr going to Hendrick is selling out?? Really?

As for myself – I can’t wait until next year. I can’t wait to see Dale Jr back at a plate track with a real powerhouse underneath him. Showing up at the track every week with a car that is capable of winning. He sure as crap wasn’t getting that with DEI. With wins at Phoenix, Richmond and Bristol already, I think it’s great that he’ll be getting Hendrick equipment to compete with next year on the short tracks. HMS has already demonstrated that they know a little something about the COT on the short tracks this year.

As for the number – Jr says he’d like to keep the 8, so that’s fine with me. I have #8 Budweiser gear, but I had #3 GM Goodwrench stuff before that. I haven’t gotten drunk enough to tattoo a driver’s number on me, so I have that going for me if they decide to change it. Although this whole situation has screamed of “We’re changing our number to 6.7”, the whole thing won’t be that much different than the guys who still wear the #99 Exide Batteries Jeff Burton shirts or the #6 Valvoline Mark Martin shirts. It’ll just show that you’ve been a fan for a long time.

Like, I said already – this is a very good thing if you’re a Dale Jr fan. He’ll have the best shot he’s ever going to get to compete for a Cup Championship. Now it’s up to him to go out and win it.

And while I’m here…Shut up about the Toyotas, already. They’re here. Deal with it or get over it!! But either way - shut up about it! And for the TV guys: Richard Petty nor Dale Earnhardt are 7-time Nextel Cup Champions. Benny Parsons never won a Nextel Cup, and neither did Alan Kulwicki! You don’t HAVE to say a sponsor name every time a Cup Champion is brought up. Jeff Gordon can be a 4-time Cup Champion without being a 4-time Nextel Cup Champion…Jeff’s 4 Cups all had the three little cups on the wooden base and the big Winston logo on the front. As did all 7 of Dale Earnhardt’s. I know Nextel sponsors it now…but there’s nothing wrong with NOT saying Nextel’s freakin’ name every time a past champion is mentioned. I know that neither of these were really fitting for the Dale Jr to HMS blog, but it’s one of my pet peeves, and I felt like mentioning it.

NBA Draft and The Memphis Grizzlies

2007-05-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Who needs Greg Oden to sell tickets?!

Draft the Chinese dude – devise a cross-promotion with the zoo, and rename the team the Pandas.

Start the season ticket promotion and print up the bumper stickers now!! Come see the Memphis Pandas featuring Yi Yi and Pau Pau…

Enough With the Phoenix Whining Already!!

2007-05-21T23:59:00.000-07:00

Actions and reactions and consequences…this whole issue is as cut and dried as it gets. It’s regrettable that it involves 2 key players being lost in exchange for an aging role player, but that’s how it is.

The rule is fine as it is. Some have argued that players are taught to protect their teammates – but it comes down to what’s more important to you…winning or protecting your teammate. Kyle Turley when he was a Saint felt it was worth 15 yards and an ejection to rip off Damien Robinson’s helmet by the face mask in the Jets game all those years ago. It arguably cost the Saints a chance at a tie, but like the old saying goes – “them’s the breaks”.

If players are allowed, say, a 5 foot perimeter from the bench, what happens if an entire bench jumps up and charges the court – but stops within that 5 feet. Well, there’s another team that sees the first team coming off the bench. Next thing you know, nobody’s stopping at 5 feet and it’s mayhem.

This one is easy. I’m sorry it happened, but it’s not even like the Suns were even goaded into it. Nobody punched Steve Nash then turned to Stoudemire and flipped him the bird. Stoudamire stood up in the heat of the moment and started onto the court…I hate it for him…but them’s the breaks.

Two players came off the bench - NOBODY ELSE DID...nothing needs changed and Stoudemire cost Phoenix a chance at the Finals - not the NBA!!

Dale Jr Leaving Is Best Thing He Could Do

2007-05-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

Unwilling to mire in the mediocrity of what the family business has become, Dale Jr has decided to leave Dale Earnhardt Inc and pursue other oppurtunities. Really, though, who could blame hime? Under Teresa's leadership, they've become the 4th best Chevrolet team behind Hendrick, Gibbs, and Childress. Instead of competing for Championships, they're competing for top-10 finishes. They've lost any semblance of the dominance they once had at Daytona and Talladega.

When the Hendrick and Gibbs began to compete with DEI at the plate tracks, I chalked it up to the other teams catching up. Looking back, I think there was a lot of DEI falling back. Teresa has become so concerned with marketing and sales and promotion that she's forgotten that it's a race team, first and foremost. I believe that is why Dale Jr wanted control of DEI - to be able to control the racing side of things to make the cars better. Dale Sr founded DEI for his kids, and it's truly a shame that at 32 and in the prime of his career, his son is forced to change teams because he no longer feels his father's company can compete for championships. Teresa should have simply handed over the racing control to Dale Jr. Unlike Teresa, he's at the track every week, he's in the cars and knows exactly what needs to be improved. Like Kyle Petty said several years ago - if he steps on the gas and the car won't go, he knows it engines. If the engines are putting out plenty of power, but he can't draft with the other teams, then he knows they need body help. Dale Jr is in the driver's seat and knows the same things.

And his hands were tied behind his back. Teresa apparently saw him as "Driver #8" and nothing much more in terms of importance within the structure of the company that shares his name.

Dale Jr will leave DEI at the end of the season. DEI will become a second-rate team barely making the top-20 each week and rarely competing for the Chase. Jr is most likely going to end up at RCR due to the fact that Hendrick's roster is full, and Gibbs would prefer not to have the Budweiser sponsorship that Jr will bring with him. Given the way that RCR has been running lately with all 3 of his cars, there's no reason to believe that he won't be able to switch over and take full advantage of what RCR can provide. RCR has been competative in the COT races and Dale Jr could certainly benefit from better cars.

I wish Dale Jr all the luck in the world. Given the circumstances under which he left, I can't say the same for DEI. It was founded by Dale Sr for his kids. And now the most prominent racer left in the family is forced to move to another team. Keep milking that #3 Teresa - it's all you have left.

Jeff Gordon, Chris Leak, and the Mavericks

2007-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Jeff Gordon on his 77th career Cup win...in the most boring Talladega race I can remember. Single file racing for 50 laps, then a blown engine forces a green, white, checkered...and MORE single file pace laps...then a green, white, checkered finish for a half-lap until 2 different wrecks force 2 more single file caution laps.

Then the idiots start throwing crap on the track. I'm glad they arrested some of them. Ban them from the races, and they'll quit. What's going to happen is that they'll outlaw the coolers and force the purchase of $8 beers...not quite as likely to throw it, if you paid as much as 2 six-packs for it.

I cannot believe Chris Leak didn't get drafted! Sam Olajabutu, I can understand. He's a firecracker of a linebacker, but a little short - so I can understand why he didn't get drafted even if I don't agree with it. But Chris Leak? Not drafted at all? I guess just too many teams not really needing quarterbacks.

And Dallas, Congratulations on getting the worst possible matchup in playoff history! 60 game winners down 3-1. That's gotta suck. As a Grizzly fan, I don't know anything about 60 game wins - or being down 3-1 since we keep getting swept - but I do know about worst possible matchups. I hate it for you Mavericks!

Jeff Gordon's Tribute to Dale Earnhardt

2007-04-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

I’ve been a Nascar fan since 1991 when my dad got me hooked on it.

The idiots hate Jeff Gordon because it threatens Dale’s superiority in the sport. Even though they probably never saw Dale race. I was one of those Dale fans that hated Jeff Gordon, until sometime around 95 or 96 when I realized that I only hated him because he was so dang good – and that’s a pretty stupid reason to hate someone. Then when you start reading the stories about how Dale and Jeff interacted – the little shots at each other - such as “he’s so young that they can’t serve champagne” – so then Jeff toasts him with milk.

It’s just ridiculous. These are most likely the fans that became NASCAR fans when Dale died and NASCAR became the focus of every news story on every station. They are the “Gordon’s Gay” fans that don’t know anything about the history of the sport or the drivers who made it what it is. They don’t know about David Pearson, they certainly don’t know about Harry Gant and the 4-race streak, or even Alan Kulwicki and how impressive his Championship in 1992 was as a owner/driver. Nobody has been able to do that in the modern era with that success. They only know DW as the “boogity boogity boogity” guy – they have no idea who “Jaws” the 84-win, short-track dominator was. They don’t know that Waltrip was HATED until some punk named Rusty showed up in the Winston (back when it was run during the day) and stirred up trouble.

And ALL that being said – These same idiots don’t know who Jeff Gordon is and his importance in the sport. Ray Evernham to them is only an owner – not the most brilliant crew chief to ever work in NASCAR. Evernham is the one who looked at pit stops and realized that if they were better coordinated and if you had someone in shape, not just Bubba Ray from the garage changing tires, that you could shave 3 or 4 seconds off of the pit stop. Ray Evernham built a T-Rex car for the Winston (now run at night) that fit every template NASCAR had, but was so monkeyed with that NASCAR told them to never bring it back to another track.

I am a huge Dale Earnhardt fan and respect his legacy in NASCAR. Up until last year, I still had #3 stickers on the cars. My email addresses and message board usernames are all Dale Earnhardt and #3 related (including the name of this very blog), and there’s a framed painting on the wall of my computer room of the #3 and #8 cars…but ragardless of your allegiance, you have to admit that the whole Rainbow Warrior era changed NASCAR.

Evernham is responsible for the aerodynamics of the cars as we know them today. In my opinion, the COT is 100% in response to the advances in body design created by Ray Evernham and Hendrick Motorsports. Jeff is responsible for the young, groomed drivers being the premium in NASCAR today. If Dale Earnhardt were to come along today at age 28 with the cowboy hat and garage guy image, I don’t know that he would even be able to get a ride.

For me, I appreciated the tribute. Some people want to chalk up a lot of Dale’s wins to "past champion perks" like #1 pit stalls, but Jeff’s ridiculous win totals from 95-98 were certainly due to Ray Evernham and his brilliance with car bodies and pit stops. Whether they like him or not, Jeff Gordon is one of NASCAR’s best of all time and has changed the sport, possibly more than any driver who came before him.

WOOOO! PIG SOOIE!!

2007-04-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

The fact that Dana Altman is turning away from the Hogs and running back to Creighton is the best news I've heard since I heard we were finally firing Bubblehead Nolan all those years ago.

OK, Franky B...you had your little April Fools...let's go get a REAL head coach now!

No Chance At Cal!

2007-04-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Anybody that thinks that Cal would leave Memphis for Arkansas (or Kentucky) is just plain nuts. He has an elite-8 team minus Jeremy Hunt coming back next year and some freshman you might have heard of...a really iffy prospect from Chicago named Derrick Rose. iffy...yeah, right.

Why would he leave a conference that guarantees him a spot in the tournament year-in and year-out for an Arkansas program that hasn't been anything in 10 years? Yeah, Heath has some outstanding talent coming in/returning and of the vacancies in college basketball this year, Arkansas is the best chance a coach has of winning immediately...but Cal's already winning.

He's not coming to Arkansas. He's not going to Kentucky. He sits high atop the mountain at the University of Memphis and he'd be retarded to leave that position. And John Calipari is a very intelligent coach.

Razorbacks, Tigers and NASCAR, Oh My!

2007-03-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Long time no update – let’s hit a hundred things at once - or maybe, like, 4.

Hey Kentucky, listen to this! Tired of having a great coach that can’t recruit? I know somebody that can recruit like all get-out! He’s had 2 straight NCAA tournament appearances AND finished this season in the SEC Championship game! PLEASE take Stan Heath! He’s just not working out at Arkansas.

Congrats to the Memphis Tigers after repeating their Elite 8 appearance from year ago after losing 2 first-round NBA draft picks in Carney and Williams and a quality college player in D-Wash. If this is what they’re doing on a rebuilding year – next year should be Final Four or bust! Great Job, Coach Calipari. I’ve busted on you for quite some time for various things, but you’ve won games and had strong tournament runs playing in a crappy conference, and kept the program free of NCAA troubles. Fans of a program can’t ask for much more than that.

The Car of Tomorrow is now the Car of Yesterday since it’s first running at Bristol yesterday. First impressions were good. We saw J.J. Yeley’s 18 car get his back bumper bashed in before the green flag ever dropped, but no spontaneous explosion for either car. The wing didn’t go flying off the back, and the front splitter didn’t plunk off the front of the 41. I saw the splitter dragging the track like Junior was concerned about, but didn’t really see any ill-effects from that either. So all-in-all the fact that the race was about the race and not about the new car – regardless of what Kyle Busch thinks after winning the race and commenting that he still thinks it sucks – shows that racing will indeed go on. People were scared of Toyota coming in and the Camry’s can barely make the races. And now everybody hates the Car of Tomorrow. Well, like the Camrys, the COT’s are here to stay. Get used to it, or start watching something else. Besides, it’s about time that racing got back to crew chiefs and drivers and people actually AT the track started winning races again – not the guys at the fab shop who can monkey the body around to fit the templates (and the magic X measurement) but gain the advantage by being the most aerodynamic. You can teach a monkey to drive a Roush car at the Cookie Cutter tracks. That’s not racing.

And lastly, Gary Parrish needs to give up his title as expert. I figured I had a sure winner on the Sports 56 Basketball bracket challenge. I set up one bracket just as I thought it should be – and that bracket sucks. BUT THEN I set up one using Gary’s picks. Thought to myself, “I’m going to be Lazlo Holifeld in the Frito contest – walking away with everything including the motor home”…and my entry using CBSSportsline columnist Gary Parrish’s expertly analyzed picks sucks worse than the one I did for myself. So for being an expert and getting paid to go to all the games and lounge around the house in your underwear all day and screw up the bracket worse than I did…I’m hatin’ on you Gary.

Oh, and really lastly, seriously, why is Stan Heath still the Coach at Arkansas? Leave Calipari alone, Kentucky. The man you want is already in the SEC!

Bangcartoon.com

2007-02-28T20:59:00.000-08:00

Looking through some old bookmarks here at home, I remembered an old friend. http://www.bangcartoon.com/archive.htm

You'll LOVE these. The guy used to be on extremeskins.com, but started his own site a while back...VERY funny stuff.

Oh - and I forgot to mention...

2007-02-27T06:53:00.000-08:00

It would be really nice if NASCAR would get some consistency in its rules...

Johnny Benson passes below the yellow in the Daytona truck race on the last lap and the justification we get is "once the white flag waves, anything goes"?!

In case NASCAR forgot...the sole reason FOR the out-of-bounds below the yellow rule is because of the Big E wreck. The 3 car dropping some tires on the apron is part of the reason the car got loose and was the reason for the implimentation of the rule. AND Earnhardt was killed on the last lap. Stupid precedent NASCAR...stupid precedent.

And Michael Waltrip - while everyone else seem to think it was a slap on the wrist at the time - has gotten as close to the death penalty as a driver can get. Las Vegas will be race #3, and he's still 27 points in the hole. NOT guaranteed a spot like he wasn't in California where he missed the race. He'll be racing for his life every single week. Not a good position for the flagship Toyota team to be in.

Stupid Upgrade

2007-02-27T04:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I last typed something that nobody will read - thanks to the stupid update that I haven't had time to do...But here's more.

Dangit! I thought we were going to be rid of Pau!! I don't have anything personal against Pau (I know I rail against him an awful lot), but it's just that I think his value to the Grizzlies is MUCH higher as trade incentive than it is as a player. We've been waiting on Pau and putting different pieces around Pau since 2001 - and all we've gotten is swept out of the playoffs 3 years in a row. Should have traded Pau instead of Shane and gotten a higher pick in the Rudy Gay draft.

The racing season is starting off with a bang - and no I don't mean David Reutimann's crash (thanks Greg Biffle) at California - so far this season. DEI is sucking a little now, but it's usually all or nothing at Daytona, and California isn't typically one of their better tracks.

Congratulations to Kevin Harvick. Great job on the 500 win! And Congratulations to Mark Martin - leading the points standings (at least for now). Make another run, Mark. If there was ever a sponsor that deserved the commitments that the drivers make - it's the Army. I would think getting to meet with those guys and help boost their morale would ease some of the sponsor commitment sting.

I'm getting through it slowly, because I keep having to put it down...it gets depressing. But if you haven't read "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" do it. It's the book that the Mel Gibson movie was based on. It will give you a whole new respect for our Vietnam veterans - and a whole new outlook on what's happening in Iraq.

And lastly - time for tee-ball!! Coaching my first season and coaching my son's team (his first season).

Yeah, We Believe You, Pete...

2007-02-09T08:25:00.002-08:00

So USC is already being investigated about improper benefits to Reggie Bush...and NOW we find out that maybe Bush and McKnight may have had phone contact?? wow. I am so shocked. I can't believe that a high-profile school might cheat.

But, Hey! Pete Carroll says that it didn't happen. The kid says it did, but Pete says it didn't...so hey, we believe you Pete.

What I DO believe is that Reggie Bush took a pay cut when he came to the Saints when he started having to pay taxes on all his money.

Trade Pau Now, Part (what is this?) 87

2007-02-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

In Sunday’s CA, Pau is quoted as saying:

“There are a lot of things going on indoors around this team that fans don't know. And they don't need to know. That's just the way it is. But you always have to respect individual decisions. You might not agree with them. You might not see why. But there's something. That's the bottom line. Just know there are reasons. It's not just because I want to be in a different place.”

So basically Pau says that there are a lot of things the fans don’t know about and don’t need to know about, and the article said that this trade request has been brewing for 2 years.

Here’s my theory. Pau wanted a sign and trade after his max contract deal. He knows that he’s soft and pathetic. The Grizzlies were bound and determined to try and build this team with Pau as its centerpiece, and apparently Pau didn’t like that decision any more than I did. He wanted max money and a trade to somewhere that he could hide behind someone better than he is. He’s weak. He knows it, I know it, and Jeff Wineberger knows it!

This trade request is two years in the making because that’s when it became obvious that Jerry West was absolutely going to build this team around Pau. The only different place he wants to be in is out of the load-carrying role. He wants somebody to hide behind when Kobe elbows him in the mouth and dunks over his 7-foot-useless head. He wants to go Anywhere that he doesn’t have to worry about anything but shooting the ball. He’s too weak to carry the team and he’s too weak to handle the criticism that goes along with it. He can’t hack it as the focal point. Plain and Simple. THAT’s why he’ll never be a superstar, and THAT’s why Memphis needed to trade him at LEAST 2 years ago.

Art Monk Deserves To Be In!

2007-02-05T19:06:00.000-08:00

Rushing Receiving
G Att Yards Y/A TD Rec Yards Y/R TD
TOTAL 159 6 6 1.0 0 750 11904 15.9 65
TOTAL 224 63 332 5.3 0 940 12721 13.5 68

The top numbers belong to newly inducted Hall-of-Famer Michael Irvin. The latter, to Art Monk.

More TD's, more receiving yards, more rushing yards, more receptions, longer career...

Why is Art Monk NOT in the Hall of Fame yet?!

I HAVE THE SOLUTION!!

2007-01-26T08:49:00.000-08:00

Since it's so blatantly obvisous to the most casual observer, that Pau Gasol is the best basketball player to walk the face of the Earth - according to the Spanish folks responding to Chris Vernon's new song - I have the solution to the Pau Gasol situation.

Instead of trading Pau, we trade everyone else! Then we simply sign the entire Spanish National team!!

The Grizzlies would OBVIOUSLY then be the first team to ever go undefeated 82-0 in the regular season - then go a perfect 4-0 in every playoff series en route to a perfect 4-0 sweep in the NBA Finals!That's the answer!

Jerry West, Make It Happen!!

Why Are You Still Here?

2007-01-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

Pau, why are you still a Grizzly? Folks were supposed to be lining up to take you and your contract! Maybe the other GMs watched the game last night and saw you get punked out and the ball stolen…you know, the time that you fell and were sitting on your butt watching everyone else run down the court? You suck, Pau Gasol. The faster we trade you the better. I’m tired of hearing “almost double-double player” attached to your name. Your double-doubles are absolutely useless because they pale in comparison to the stats that you give up. It hasn’t been great. It hasn’t been. And you can’t be an ex-Grizzly soon enough for me.

And the Wonder Twins did their deal last night against the Grizzlies and, oh, how they talked of how great they played together. Yeah, y’all are great. Wonder Twins power activate…form of some player that play great against a pathetic Grizzlies team…form of something useless made of water. Well, ok, not really, but seriously – it’s easy to be laughing and dunking and “see, we get along wonderfully” when your playing the Bad News Bears of the NBA. Let’s see how things shake down when Kobe’s dropping 50 on your head. Let’s see how well you share and get along when Phoenix rolls through and scoring points like it’s going out of style. Let’s see how well you pass and set up plays when you’re about to lose by 30. You play well then and share and pass and be all lovey…THEN I’ll be impressed.

We’ll miss you Bill Parcells. I’m only 33, but it always feels like I get a little older a little quicker when sports figures I’ve grown up with retire. Bill Parcells is the latest. My generation of NASCAR drivers is another. So many of the drivers I remember watching in the early 90’s…gone – retired or passed away. I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid.

Pau, are you still here? I’m sorry, I thought you were leaving. But on a side-note, it was nice to hear an afternoon show playing the Hallelujah chorus when mentioning the Pau trade after my blog first thing yesterday morning mentioned it. Maybe someone’s noticing this lunacy.

The Hallelujah Chorus

2007-01-22T05:48:00.000-08:00

I can hear the hallelujah chorus loud and clear this morning. The monkey off of Peyton’s back. Finally over the New England speedbump. He played a great second half, and he finally gets to the SuperBowl.

Congrats to the Saints on an amazing season. I have to wonder how much Reggie’s taunt came back to haunt us yesterday. Finally get it back to within 16-14, and the Bears just shut the door. A Safety on the intentional grounding followed by nothing allowed in the 4th quarter. Not sure if that was the Bears getting their rhythm or if that was the Bears getting their hackles up over the taunt. Either way, the Saints being eliminated makes it easier to root for Peyton in the SuperBowl! Geaux Colts!

And lastly…the hallelujah chorus is loudest because there are reports that Pau Gasol is on the trading block. I’ve been on the Trade Pau Now bandwagon since I started the thing 4 years ago. The line I use most often: He’s beaten under the basket so often, he probably has battered wife syndrome. He’s not the type of player around which a team should or COULD be built. News that Chicago is interested is exciting. Best case scenario is that we get another Top 3 or 5 draft pick in the deal. Certainly beats the offer I would have taken…which was something that included nothing more than a box of pop-tarts and some oreos. I’ve heard people say that they’re turning on Pau now that the trade rumors have surfaced. I suppose the moron that said that was ok with Pau being weak and scared while he was running down the Grizzlies in the Spanish papers. I suppose he was ok with Pau breaking his foot playing for the Spanish National team this summer. The Grizzlies are the ones paying him the max contract, yet he plays harder for the Spanish Team. Maybe the Grizzlies should have taken the hint and not given him a max contract.

Either way – the Chorus is singing loudly this morning. Peyton’s finally beaten the Patriots and Pau Gasol hopefully will be on the first train to anywhere by here!

Mitch Mustain Follow-Up

2007-01-20T08:01:00.000-08:00

Apparently (according to KATV, Little Rock) Mitch Mustain has re-enrolled in classes at Arkansas.

I guess Mr. Greatest Thing Since Slice Bread decided that if his options were Tulsa, Texas Tech and UTEP, that maybe he'd just hang loose in Fayetteville for a while. Since Notre Dame, Louisville and the others told him thanks for asking - don't call us, we'll call you.

See, Mitch, having your momma go meet with AD's is something that follows you around. Hard to get other coaches at big-time programs to be interested when there's a history of meddling parents who think that one mediocre freshman quarterback is bigger than the entire program.

As Obi-Wan told Anakin in Attack of the Clones: "You will learn your place, young one." You may be a great Quarterback someday - with some coaching and some listening to coaching on your part. But you need to quit believing your own hype. You need some work, dude. If you were smart - and your former HS Coach - you would have just shut up, rolled with it, and let Darren McFadden carry the load next season while you work on your mechanics and your accuracy...and your decision making. This situation is similar to the Chargers. River let LT do the brunt of the work while he learned the ropes and got his feet wet. You have the perfect chance to do that at Arkansas. D-Mac leaves after this year - the team could be yours the next.

If you truly turn out to be as good as you were supposed to be, Nutt would be a fool to not put the team on your shoulders after D-Mac leaves. Just like he would have been a fool to not put the team on D-Mac's shoulders this year.

Honestly, I was a Hog fan long before I ever heard your name...and I'll be one long after you're gone. Stay or go - it's of little consequence to me. But if you stay, you need to smarten up and quit acting like a spoiled 10-year-old saying, "screw this, I'm taking my ball and going home."

The Springdale Babies

2007-01-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

There's been a lot of talk about Malzahn leaving and was he lied to by Houston Nutt. Coach Nutt probably DID tell Gus Malzahn that he would be able to open up the offense for Arkansas. Nutt probably said something pretty close to these exact words, "Hey, uh, Gus. I really like your style of offense. How would you like to come to Arkansas and help me get that offense into the SEC?"

And Houston Nutt may have had full intentions of doing just that when he had his conversation with Gus Malzahn. Then McFadden and Jones showed up and lit the SEC on fire and the best 1-2 running back combination in the country with McFadden finishing 2nd in the Heisman Trophy race. For that group of Springdale babies to think that Arkansas should have ignored that and just let Gus throw the ball around the field like he’s Coach Spurrier, Jr. is just insane. It would be the equivalent of Scottie Pippen’s mom complaining to Phil Jackson that he’s giving the ball to that Jordan guy too much.

Have fun in Tulsa, boys…we already have a mediocre quarterback, and his name is Casey Dick. We certainly don’t need another one who thinks WAY too highly of himself for someone who threw 9 Interceptions and 10 Touchdowns during the season. If they want to leave then leave, but don’t act like Arkansas pulled a bait and switch. I don’t think anybody in Hog Nation expected McFadden to go nuts like he did this season. If you want to win, you ride the fast horse. Not the one that falls down once for every step it takes.

Malzahn and Mustain need to realize that we had a couple of moderately good running backs that carried the team this year. Mustain did nothing to impress me. Malzahn may not have quite as much success when he gets away from McFadden and Jones. And when you look at Mustain, teams left him wide open to throw where he wanted to…and he still never did anything to prove that he was as good as he supposed to be. He was 8-0 as a starter due strictly to the running game.

Casey Dick was adequate as the Quarterback placeholder on the field – and from what I saw, they should leave the QB off the field, put in another blocker and direct snap to McFadden every play and let him decide whether to keep it himself or hand it off to Jones. Maybe Malzahn will take Mustain with him. I’m tired of the dual quarterbacks and I’m tired of the little baby’s whining to the AD. Take your ball and go home, baby. We won despite having you as quarterback, Mitch Mustain.

Rest In Peace, Benny Parsons

2007-01-16T09:22:00.000-08:00

We'll miss you, Benny. You drove me nuts saying Jamie "McMerry", but you were a great guy and super spokesman for the sport.

Rest In Peace, Bobby Hamilton

2007-01-07T17:25:00.000-08:00

Former NASCAR driver Bobby Hamilton, 49, lost his battle with cancer today.

He will be missed.

Gotta Love the Playoffs!!

2007-01-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

The Colts defense shows up for the first time all year (well second time if you count the Cincy Monday night game)...makes a mockery of the week-long discussions about Larry Johnson and the Chiefs running game vs the pathetic Colts run defense.

Then golden boy Romo muffs the field goal snap. TO's dropping passes like he's actually paid to drop them instead of catch them...pretty much like he's done all year.

But two games and two "where did THAT come from" conversations at the end of them. I love the NFL playoffs!

If today's go anything like yesterday's - I guess we can expect Tom Brady to throw a game losing interception with 30 seconds left to give the win to the Jets...and for Eli throw for 650 yards as the Giants offense looks like a well-oiled machine and cruises past Philly.

Nick Saban going to 'Bama

2007-01-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

Seriously, in the grand scheme of things…who cares if a coach says he’s not going somewhere and then does? Nick Saban is not the first coach to outright deny going somewhere in the middle of a season and then turn around and go. He won’t be the last coach to do it, either. And as long as Alabama or its fans don’t expect him to be around for 8 or 10 years, then there’s no problem. It’s already established that contracts or press-conferences are meaningless, so why so much scrutiny about THIS coach saying he won’t go.

I realize that he said that he WOULD NOT be the coach at Alabama, and maybe he should have said that he preferred not to answer – but which provides more stability to a team in the middle of a season? A coach that’s elusive about his answers or a coach that pounds the podium and points his finger at the reporters and firmly states that he did not have sex with that woman?

Is it a shameful thing that he wouldn’t even show up at his own press conference to announce he was going to Alabama? Absolutely. Is anybody surprised? Absolutely not.

The bottom line is that Alabama needs help. They Need recruits and they Need a good coach – and they WANT both right now. And with Nick Saban, they’ll be good right away with his coaching and they’ll be good for a while with his recruiting. They’ll use Nick Saban to get Alabama back to being what Alabama feels like they should be right NOW, and they’ll worry about maintaining that after he leaves.

But you have to say this – it’ll be easier to get a coach to come to Alabama after Nick Saban leaves than it is right now. So long as Alabama doesn’t do a lot of whining and crying when he bails in a couple of years to go coach the Detroit Lions or whoever, then I don’t have a problem with it. Coaches lie about whether or not they’re leaving. It’s part of football – college or pro. It happens – so don’t act like Nick Saban is the devil for doing it this time, but don’t act like he’s the world’s biggest traitor when he does it next time. People know how he is – and even if he truly didn’t want to go, it gets hard to say no when Alabama keeps throwing more money at him.

New Tim McGraw Video

2007-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

check it out if you haven't

I Like It!!

2007-01-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

I don't know if they can keep it up for another 50 games, but I'm certainly digging the 2 100-point games in a row...2 nights in a row.

After a few months of boring, drag-it-out play, with a handful of up-tempo games thrown in before Kyle was hurt, it's nice to see them run again. It's like I've been saying for 2 seasons now - It has to be something entertaining to watch. NBA isn't totally about winning or losing, it's about entertainment. It would nice for them to win, but they have to make people want to pay to see them - even if they're losing...especially if they're losing.

For a team that's only averaging 95 points per game - including the last 2 100-point games and a couple of high-scoring overtime stat-skewers - it's great to see some action.

Win or lose, it has to be entertaining...even winning will only get you so far. Ask the Memphis Tigers: They win a LOT. But they play a crappy home schedule this year and the result is boring games - and lack of attendance.

I said when Barone Sr. was announced that I didn't know what kind of coach he'd be. If this is any indication, he's going to be pretty dang good.

Fratello Fired

2006-12-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

"Mike Fratello Relieved of Head Coaching Duties with the Memphis Grizzlies"

That's the Headline to the Grizzlies story on the main site. Personally, I like my alliteration better - but as long as somebody else is coaching the team, I don't care how it's said.

I have no idea how Barone will do as coach...but he can't do much worse. The story on CNNSI spun the story in a "boy they sure missed Pau and now poor Mikey is getting all the blame."

They did miss Pau - which would be expected considering that this team was built around him. (Much like Memphis missed DeAngelo) But Pau isn't the lightning rod spark that caused the team to be slower than molasses in January with him being gone.

Fratello's fired and it's about 2 months too late!

2006-12-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Thursday Thoughts

2006-12-21T06:56:00.000-08:00

(Sigh) The Hogs lose to the Longhorns, Grizzlies lose to San Antonio and Memphis loses to Arizona...O Discordia!

Now to digress from sports for just a minute: I have 2 important requests for the 3 people who might read this to pass along to everyone they know. First, a turn lane is a turn lane. Please use it as it's intended. It's not called a turn lane because you "turn" through it while you pull into the Wal-Mart. It's intended purpose is to give you a place to slow down without impeding traffic behind you. Get into the dang turn lane before you ever hit the brake, you brain-dead idiots. And Second, when you're leaving the Wal-Mart...if you're going to be a jackass and pull out in front of me - even though there is NOBODY behind me on the road for as far as the eye can see - at LEAST accelerate to the speed limit. Don't just pull out in front me, make me jam on the brakes and then only go, like, 20 miles per hour.

The point behind both of these points - if you're on the road, please stay out of the way.

West vs Fratello...

2006-12-14T13:11:00.000-08:00

Internet reports are circulating (ok, so maybe it's one blog reporting and then a bunch of other blogs talkinga about it) about Jerry West jumping on Mike Fratello’s case about the team losing.

It’s about time. Losing is bad enough, but now we’re back losing AND being boring…it’s time somebody got in Mike Fratello’s face about it. He doesn’t care, he won’t be back…fire him now and get an interim coach put in place so that as soon as this ownership debacle is settled one way or the other we can get a coaching search underway. That way they’ll have all season to look for a coach and maybe get a headstart on some of the better available coaches.

And really - Fratello may be the Czar, but West is the Logo...no way a Czar beats the Logo. Long after both are dead...the Logo will be around.

2006-12-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

I happened to think today about an argument that everyone is making about the Davis group buying the Grizzlies. The point is continually brought up “Why would Davis pay $350 Million to buy a team that’s losing money?”

The answer is simple. And he explained it on the Vernon show when they were talking to about his plans as owner. He never says he wants to make money with the Grizzlies. Nor do his investors. In the grand scheme of things, the Grizzlies are simply a key that Davis needs to open up his opportunities to develop downtown Memphis. And THAT’s what he kept saying on the show was his plan. To develop downtown…to bring in conventions…turn downtown into a 24 hour downtown that people wanted to come to.

Just like his Duke connections in Durham, Davis wants to use the "Grizzlies owner" status as a tool to get inside the downtown development. That’s where the real money is – and it’s where he’s already made his money…real estate development.

THAT’s where Davis and his investors plan to make their money. The Grizzlies losing money will be considered the cost of doing business to them. They’ll try to lower the amount they lose, of course – but you want to know why they’ll spend $350 Million to buy a team that’s losing money…because they don’t plan on making their money with the Grizzlies. They plan on using the Grizzlies to get the connections they need to make their money in real estate.

As long it is a legitimate owner who has the team’s best interest in mind and they make good decisions for the team while they make their money elsewhere…I’m fine with that.

Should we run or throw??

2006-11-24T18:46:00.000-08:00

ok, i only need 5 questions answered...because those 5 questions will explain why we lost.

First, when it's 4th and 3 - why does D-Mac or Jones NOT have the ball? Instead, it's Casey Dick trying to throw, when we've been running at will all damn game...

Second, when it's 1st and 10 with less than 2 minutes to go and OUR game to freakin' win - why does D-Mac or Jones NOT have the ball? Instead, it's Casey Dick trying to throw, when we've been running at will all damn game...including an 80 TD run earlier in the game!

Third, when it's 2nd and 10 with less than 2 minutes to go and OUR game to freakin' win - why does D-Mac or Jones NOT have the ball? Instead, it's Casey Dick trying to throw, when we've been running at will all damn game...including an 80 TD run earlier in the game!

Fourth, when it's 3rd and 10 with less than 2 minutes to go and OUR game to freakin' win - why does D-Mac or Jones NOT have the ball? Instead, it's Casey Dick trying to throw, when we've been running at will all damn game...including an 80 TD run earlier in the game!

(noticing a pattern?)

AND LASTLY - Fifth, when it's 4th and 10 with less than 2 minutes to go and OUR game to freakin' win - why does D-Mac or Jones NOT have the ball? Instead, it's Casey Dick trying to throw, when we've been running at will all damn game...including an 80 TD run earlier in the game!

I Said What?

2006-11-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

What was that I said about being over by the end of the first quarter?

What I meant was that it would be over by the end of the FOURTH quarter...and hopefully Arkansas would be able to pull off a win - even though it should be easy, it might not actually be.

This Weekend

2006-11-17T04:20:00.000-08:00

Only 2 games matter this weekend...the Hogs will kill Miss St. It will be ugly, and over by the end of the 1st quarter. I was there and watched it happen in 2003. 52-6 is a real possibility again.

And I honestly think Michigan will beat Ohio State. They're very good. Ohio State is too, but Michigan has to win to get to Number 1. Ohio State has to not lose to stay at Number 1. Strange logic, but I'm using it and saying that Michigan wins...

And if Michigan DOES win...no rematch. Ohio State is ranked #1, playing at home, and has the national title slot potentially riding on the game. I don't care if it's the Detroit Lions coming from Michigan...you can't lose a game of this magnitude AT home and go on to play for a national title.

Hibernation Time for the Grizzlies

2006-11-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

Big brew-ha-ha about firing Fratello…I don’t care who the coach is, but here’s what I know: You can’t expect people to pay money to go be put to sleep.

The games aren’t exciting. Even if they were winning, it’s boring. I’ll take my money and go see a movie instead, and put the Grizzlies on the TV in the background while I do something else at the house. And it’s only worse that Fratello refuses to play the young players that might provide some excitement…or at least hope for the future. Seriously, dude, Eddie Jones for 35 minutes and a whole 6 points to show for it? I can score 6 points in 35 minutes just getting fouled.

Make it a product WORTH paying for and people WILL pay for it. Regardless of winning or losing.

And isn’t ironic that Randy Moss is bored playing Oakland…because I get bored Watching him play in Oakland. I don’t know what they expect out there…it’s some haphazard collection of talent thrown together and expected to succeed. Randy Moss will continue to be irrelevant in the NFL and basically useless until he’s with another team.

O.J.’s writing a book based around a “what if” scenario if he HAD killed Nicole and Ron...he’s also writing the book based around the “what if” scenario that somebody cares. Isn’t he still in debt up to his ears to the Goldman family? Here’s hoping he makes enough to pay what he owes them.

Overrated??

2006-11-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

I’m not going to argue BCS stuff yet because there’s a LOT of football left to play. But I will say this: It’s hard to call West Virginia overrated as good as they’ve played this season…after beating 8th ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl last year.

I don’t know that they (or Rutgers or Louisville) are the 3rd best team in the country, but it’s hard to deny that they’re VERY good. Which should bring the others up to that level considering how they’ve all played each other.

"They wouldn't be undefeated if they were in the SEC - maybe not...but here's what I DO know. Georgia was ranked 8th, playing essentially a home Sugar Bowl game with the Superdome being out of commission...and West Virginia beat them straight up 38-35.

The National Title Picture

2006-11-10T09:53:00.000-08:00

Here’s the argument I’m tired of hearing about: Louisville’s freaking schedule. People want to take away credit from Louisville for scheduling Miami “Miami isn’t what it usually is”. Then when you point out they’ve beaten 3 bowl teams – and include a moderately successful Kentucky it’s “well, they didn’t know Kentucky would be good.” You can’t knock a team for beating who they’ve beaten based on the schedule they have vs the schedule they SHOULD have had looking at it on paper at the beginning of the season. It doesn’t much matter either way to be honest, though. Rutgers probably loses to West Virginia anyway and the whole Big East Conference can just shut up.

And yeah, it’s easy to sit here as a Razorback fan and gripe about Auburn STILL being ranked ahead of us in the polls…and it’s a legitimate argument. What’s NOT is griping about how Arkansas isn’t in the National Title picture conversation. We’ve beaten Auburn people. Yeah, it was easily…and it was AT Auburn. But beat Tennessee…and then beat LSU. THEN start having the conversation. We’ll still need to beat Florida in Atlanta to have a reasonable argument about belonging, but don’t even bring up the argument until we close out the season the right way. It’s mighty hard to hold your head up high, pound your chest and crow about being 5-0 in the SEC when the wins are close wins against Vandy and Alabama, a win against South Carolina (which is not a bad win) and win against Ole Miss (that is a bad win – anybody bragging about that needs to be drug out in the street and shot!). Beat the others and we’ll have the conversation, but don’t start the National Title talk just for beating Auburn…because we also got our asses thoroughly beaten by USC.

Election Day!

2006-11-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

And with all of this Corker/Ford Jr. crap on the TV and radio and "this guy ran over his mom" and "this guy has sex with chickens" and every other thing they could think of to say about each other...

I have one simple question: Where's Monty Brewster when you need him? None of the above, brother!!

2006-11-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

And just for the record...shut up with how great Chicago is.

I think I said 2 or 3 days ago that being a good NFC team doesn't make you a good NFL team. Losing to the freakin' Dolphins?! Please.

And congrats to Mississippi State - you suck, Alabama! Maybe Croom finally heard Vernon's new Cowbells song. Inspired him to do something good. or maybe Bama just sucks.

And if you need more proof the polls suck...Auburn is STILL ranked higher than Arkansas. The Hogs are unbeaten in SEC play...including a 27-10 butt-whipping of Auburn...yet here we are not even in the top 10. Polls suck.

Finally Finished!

2006-11-05T06:18:00.000-08:00

Like 3 months after the fact, I finally finished my own Coach O video. Been crazy at work and after watching it, you'll be like "that took THAT long?!" But dangit! I wanted it finished!

http://www.youtube.com/v/txlOreGZ4oo

Whatchoo Gonna Do, Brother? When Coach O rips his shirt off on you?!

A few things on a few things:

2006-11-02T05:36:00.000-08:00

The Grizzlies really impressed me last night…after they really frustrated me last night. For the love of Pete, SOMEBODY hit a free throw! But to see this team – this Young team – be down by 19 points with 9 minutes left in the 4th quarter and be able to send it to OT was good to see. And to keep the intensity up through all 3 OT periods was great. Kyle Lowry impressed the heck out me! That guy looks like he’s going to be something in the NBA! Coming from absolutely nowhere to be in the middle of the paint fighting for rebounds almost every time there was one to be had…nice to see that kind of effort. Rudy Gay looked really good, too. Looked a little timid at times – maybe a little unsure of himself or his shot, but other times he looked amazing! And too see the stat boxes filled with names like Gay, Lowry, and Warrick gives a lot of hope that maybe the season won’t be as bad as I originally thought. Of course, it is only one game – and it was the Knicks, so we’ll see in the long run if I should quite so upbeat about a one point triple overtime loss.

“With the 20th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select Renaldo Balkman.” BOOOOOOOO!!! That was the scene at the draft…and after watching him last night…BOOOOOOOO!!! He’s like a one-man wrecking crew out there. Fouling and Hacking and whatnot – I don’t think he could have looked more out of place if he were in a tutu and clown makeup.

And finally...

Enough with how great the Chicago Bears are already!! Yeah, they’re 7-0. And in the NFL there’s something to be said for that – but it’s Arizona’s own fault that Chicago didn’t lose that game. To get to 7-0, they’ve beaten the Packers, Lions, Vikings, Seahawks, Bills, Cardinals, and 49ers. And for the record – those records are 3-4, 1-6, 4-3, 4-3, 2-5, 1-7, and 2-5. 7-0 vs a combined 17-33. Shut up about how good the Bears are! Being a dominant team in the NFC doesn’t make you a good team. It makes you better than the rest of NFC…and you don’t have to be good to better than the rest of the NFC. Just look at New England’s dismantling of Minnesota AT the Metrodome as proof of what a REAL good team can do.

Cardinals Win 3 Games to 1!

2006-10-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals!

Everybody's Working for the Weekend!

2006-10-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hugh Manatee is lost. I guess he got tired of waiting to be rescued from Memphis and decided to just leave on his own. Probably got tired of people calling him “Manny”. C’mon folks, we’re the top of the evolutionary chain! We invented the wheel! We can create fire! We have created bombs that can destroy everything taller than 3 inches! But “Manny” is the most original name you can come up with for a manatee? I don’t blame you, Hugh, I’d have left too.

Memphis loses to Marshall this weekend. Marshall has 3 different rushers averaging more than 5 yards per carry. Memphis hasn’t been able to stop the run all year. Marshall kills them. Doesn’t matter if Memphis plays Phillip or not.

The overwhelming favorite to win the World Series is now down 3 games to 1. I’d never have dreamed that THIS Cardinal team would have been the one to win it. It’s funny how they always say you can’t win without pitching. And the reason given for the Cardinals 3-1 Series lead is credited to pitching. But the Atlanta Braves had the most dominant pitching staff in baseball for more than 10 years with ONE World Series title to show for it in 1995. Bobby Cox is over-rated and gets way too much credit. Tony La Russa doesn’t get nearly enough in my opinion.

On one hand, I’d like to be able to say that UT will kill South Carolina this weekend. But then they barely beat Air Force – so who can say for sure. If I was forced to bet, I’d lean towards UT killing South Carolina.

The Grizzlies will probably suck this year and still make the playoffs. Simply because there are a lot of teams that suck in the West. That means struggling to get in, only to get a 7 or an 8 seed and get swept out yet again. I’ve said for years (and I’m not the only one) that this team will never win anything with Pau Gasol as our best player. Now the team is completely constructed for him to be our best player. It’s a recipe for disaster. Hopefully Rudy Gay will be that guy that make Pau NOT our best player. I hate to see Shane leave, but I am fan of the Grizzlies. I don’t want to see them mired in mediocrity and settle for a playoff appearance and nothing more simply because I like a guy or two on the roster. I don’t care if it takes signing Dennis Rodman, Bonzi Wells, and Ron Artest – I want to win. Maybe not win at all costs – certainly not a 1997 Marlins situation…but I certainly would like to win.

Just Admit It Already!

2006-10-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

We all know it's Pine Tar. We've known it was pine tar since the first time it was pointed out on the broadcast. Don't try to tell us it was dirt, or tell us that you won't chew yesterday's breakfast or that you be responsible for undressing the pitcher.

Is Kenny Rogers cheating. Obviously. Is he alone? Not according to an interview with an anonymous bullpen coach interviewed by a cnnsi.com writer. Typically they use shaving cream and suntan lotion according the coach.

But here's the whole deal: It's obvious he was using pine tar. Regardless of what anyone wants to call it or how they want to handle it, the rules are very simple on the subject. Quite plainly, if you're caught with it, you get thrown out. Much like going 80 in a 55 - yeah, you're breaking the law, but you only pay the penalty if you're caught.

And this moron who is obviously too stupid to know how to hide it, got caught. After showing that it was on his hand for 3 straight playoff games, he deserves a suspension. Not to send the message that pine tar shouldn't be used, but to send the message that you need at least TRY to hide. Slow down when you see the cop over the next hill, don't just keep on going 80 and dare him to give you the ticket.

The strike in 1994 almost killed baseball. The 1998 homerun chase brought the average fans back to the game, but only at the cost of the game's core credibility as the steroid scandal clouded every achievement over the past 10 years.

Now on the game's biggest stage, the World Series, Kenny Rogers blatantly has pine tar smeared all over his hand, and not only the coaches try to sweep it under the carpet, the umpires do too.

It's another black mark (or yellowish-brown) on the game that has already had too may black marks lately.

We know they all cheat, but for crying out loud...at least TRY to hide it a little bit.

City of Brotherly Love??

2006-10-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2600361

PHILADELPHIA Oct 23, 2006 (AP)— A father pulled a gun on a youth football coach because his son wasn't getting enough playing time, police said.

Wayne Derkotch, 40, was arguing with the coach Sunday during a game of 6- and 7-year-olds when he drew the weapon, police said. No shots were fired.

Derkotch was charged with aggravated assault and other offenses. He did not immediately return a call to his home Monday.

A referee accused of throwing a punch at a man was also arrested on assault charges, police said.

Amazing News!

2006-10-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

In a strange twist of events, it turns out that the idiot that pulled off the NFL stadium threat hoax actually looks every bit as stupid as I imagined he would.

You have to LOVE a cnnsi.com story that starts with the line, "A 20-year-old grocery store clerk who lives with his parents was behind an Internet hoax..."

Could have just as easily have said, "20-year-old dork who would rather play Dungeons and Dragons than date women pulls off the most ignorant hoax imaginable."

He faces 5 years in prison, and $250,000 in fines. He also faces five years of unimaginable torture if he goes to prison. Good luck talking your new boyfriend Bubba into playing Dungeons and Dragons tonight there, Jake.

Cardinals Win in 7!!

2006-10-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

What a fitting end to this Cardinals season - pushing elimination to the brink and coming up with just enough at the end!!

Next stop DEE-troit!

Cardinals lose in 7?

2006-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

How fitting would this be to end the season for the Cardinals? Weaver shows up and outduels Tom Glavine to go up 3-2...whoda thunk it? So the Cardinals are sitting pretty only needing one win to clinch the pennant. Carpenter and Suppon to start the next 2 games.

Carpenter didn't do it, and with Suppon sporting a nice 3-1 record against the Mets...how fitting would it be to end the series with back to back Cardinal losses by Carpenter and Suppon of all people?

After the season the Cardinals have had - I'd not only say it was fitting, but I'm half-expecting it!

How Hard Is This To Figure Out?

2006-10-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

A simple line of Stats tells the whole story here, I think...

Year G Cmp Att Pct Yds Yds/Att TD Int 1st Sck Rtg
2006 6 138 207 66.7 1509 7.3 8 4 75 6 92.8
2006 2 6 14 42.9 68 4.9 0 0 3 7 58
2005 13 240 431 55.7 2882 6.7 13 17 - 33 70

The first line of stats are Drew Brees' stats through 6 games with the Saints this year.

The second line of stats are Aaron Brooks' stats through his only 2 games this year.

The third line of stats are Aaron Brooks' stats through all of 2005 with the Saints.

The Saints haven't gotten that much better...their quarterback has. Jim Haslett had to go. Right, wrong or indifferent about the head coach being fired, it was time for a change there, and Sean Payton's doing a good job (Reggie Bush isn't doing such a bad job either).

You want to know exactly how bad Aaron Brooks is as a quarterback? Randy Moss made that ball-chunking linebacker Dante Culpepper look really good. Randy Moss made Aaron Brooks look so good that the Raiders signed an 80 year old Jeff George to play ahead of him!!

Funniest Thing I Have Heard All Day

2006-10-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

Steve Kragthorpe, the coach of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes was discussing his upcoming game with the University of Memphis Tigers.

During the conference call, he made the following observations about some team or another.

They have a lot of excellent athletes on defense.

(obviously not the Tiger defense that can't stop the run to save its life - or the job of Joe Lee Dunn...fired 2 games ago)

They don't give up big plays.

(obviously not the Tiger defense that gave up the game-losing Hail Mary to Arkansas State with 6 seconds left last week to drop to 1-5)

He talked about the excellent running game...Phillip's running very well...you mean Doss? Yeah. He had a huge game against us last year.

(Maybe he means 6'2" Defensive End Rubio Phillips. He must mean him, he's the only Phillips on the team. The Running Back is named Doss, and the guy that had the 30 rushes for a million yards and 3 touchdowns last year is some guy named Williams that was just drafted by the Panthers of Carolina.)

But on the bright side - maybe this means he's overlooking Memphis and they can sneak a few points on the board handing it off to Doss while Tulsa guards Rubio Phillips!

Props to the Almighty Verno for playing these on the show today! I haven't laughed so hard at the radio in a long time!

Stupid Stories in Sports

2006-10-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Mike Tyson is starting a World Tour...in Youngstown, Ohio?? And somehow we're supposed to think he's not still crazy? And he wants to fight women? How about fighting a 7 foot mutant Russian? I'd pay to see Valuev beat Tyson's brains out.

Stromile Swift has been nursing a sprained knee this preseason - hugely reminiscent of the ankle injury that he nursed for like 4 months in his last go-round with the Grizzlies. Rudy Gay may be amazing, but Stromile Swift is a waste of money. He'll be 35 and his agent will still be looking for big contract money based on Stro's potential.

Why is this Miami nonsense still in the news? Is it news to anybody in the sports-loving that Miami is a school full of thugs and criminals? Lamar Thomas said he wanted to join in the brawl...and again, who's surprised? He played for Miami, right? Coker will be fired before the end of the season. Can you say "lack of institutional control"?

2006-10-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

Local sports radio is running a commercial about coming to Homecoming to see Memphis play Tulsa and see Mr. and Miss U of M crowned…Memphis just lost to Arkansas Freakin’ State. Against Tulsa, there’ll be too much blood on the field to crown Mr. and Miss U of M on the field, so maybe they’ll do it near the concession stands. Memphis gets slaughtered this weekend.

Everybody wants to argue BCS vs playoff – forget that lame, tired, never-ending argument. It’s just this simple! Arkansas beat Number 2 Auburn that just beat Number 2 Florida. Arkansas should obviously be Number 2! Their one loss is to USC, so put USC Number 1, Arkansas Number 2 and nevermind the rest because if you’re not playing for the National Title, it just doesn’t matter!

Speaking of doesn’t matter – we should all send Jim Leyland thank-you cards for sweeping the A’s and getting the ALCS off the TV as soon as possible.

And a good reason to hate bye-weeks in Fantasy Football, Kansas City Cheifs Defense! I picked them up as a free agent defense for the Colts bye-week. Kansas City’s played decent defense the past few weeks and the Steelers average 15 pts per game. Until yesterday and the Steelers light up KC for 45 points. I hate Ben Roethlisberger.

I don’t know how much Mississippi State paid Jacksonville State – but somebody at Memphis needs to call Sylvester Croom and find out how much an easy, guaranteed win costs. At this point, I’m pretty sure South Panola is the best football team in Mississippi.

And finally, just how much does it suck to be an Arizona Cardinal? Not only are you a professional team playing in a stadium sponsored by the local college team, but you're up by 20 at the half - dominating on defense, making Grossman look like a high school kid out there...throwing bad passes, dropping the ball like an idiot - and then you LOSE?! Sir Charles was right about that team - they don't know how to win. They're one of the best ever at losing, though. Dennis Green sounded like he was ready to kill someone. He probably would have killed his players, but they had already choked to death.

(and as a side note, if you haven't seen - or heard - the new Chris Vernon smash hit, check his site. You'll be glad you did!)